Strengthening Bilateral Ties: Malaysia and Cuba Explore New Opportunities
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 (Bernama) — Malaysia and Cuba are stepping up efforts to strengthen their long-standing bilateral ties, exploring new opportunities in economic cooperation with a renewed focus on the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.
This commitment was underscored during a bilateral meeting between Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla.
Pharmaceutical Sector: A Key Area of Collaboration
Mohamad said Malaysia and Cuba’s diplomatic ties could be strengthened through collaboration in the pharmaceutical sector, where Cuba has made significant advancements, including developing its own COVID-19 vaccines and conducting clinical trials for diabetes and heart disease treatments.
"Cuba has expertise in pharmaceuticals, research, and technology—that is what’s important for Malaysia to strengthen these fields," he told Bernama after the bilateral meeting on Thursday.
Exploring New Collaborations
As Malaysia aims to strengthen its pharmaceutical industry, Mohamad emphasized the importance of exploring new collaborations to ensure better and more affordable access to medicines for Malaysians.
BRICS: A Gateway to New Markets
The foreign ministers also discussed opportunities arising from Malaysia and Cuba’s recent recognition as partner countries within the BRICS, the bloc of emerging economies—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Mohamad said that although Malaysia is not a full member yet in BRICS, the participation opens doors to broader trade networks and economic partnerships.
"BRICS offers a gateway for Malaysia to diversify its trade markets and reduce dependency on traditional partners. Trading within this group alone grants access to vast markets, including Cuba," he added.
News Agency Collaboration
Meanwhile, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and Cuba’s Prensa Latina signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in news exchange and media cooperation.
The agreement, which formalized a partnership between the two news agencies, was signed during the four-day official visit of Cuba’s Foreign Minister to Malaysia.
Conclusion
The signing of the MoU marks a significant step in strengthening ties between both news agencies while expanding Bernama’s global reach. The partnership is expected to foster mutual growth in news sharing and journalistic exchanges, providing opportunities for Bernama to showcase its content on the international stage, including to audiences in Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the key areas of collaboration between Malaysia and Cuba?
A: The key areas of collaboration include the pharmaceutical sector, biotechnology, and research and development.
Q: What are the benefits of Malaysia’s participation in BRICS?
A: The benefits include diversifying trade markets, reducing dependency on traditional partners, and gaining access to vast markets, including Cuba.
Q: What are the next steps for Bernama and Prensa Latina?
A: The next steps include establishing further partnerships, including journalist exchanges or placements between the two news agencies.
Q: What are the benefits of the MoU for Bernama?
A: The MoU will enhance Bernama’s global reach, provide opportunities for news sharing and journalistic exchanges, and showcase Bernama’s content on the international stage.